Articles
Let Brotherly Love Continue - 1
There are many group affiliations, organizations and other collectives in life to which we may belong. From nuclear families to fan bases, from neighbors to work associates, from political action groups to PTA, there are common interests that bring us into heightened contact with others.
We may feel bonded by a common cause, say, the secular and moral education of our children. This may grow into an affinity for others who share our value systems and see the broader world as we do. At the deepest level is an attachment for biological family that transcends personality differences, life choices and the petty arguments that sometimes afflict our closest ties.
But one group should stand above all the rest in the hierarchy of meaning in our lives, and that is the body of Christ. No relationships or group participation should take precedence over our connections to God’s people (Mt 10:37-38). No emotional attachment should outweigh our affection for our spiritual family. No earthly group membership deserves higher priority than the welfare and needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
When we willingly accept the terms of God’s proffered covenant by declaring our allegiance to Jesus Christ, we not only enter a relationship with Him but by extension with all who likewise have committed to love and serve Him. The values and priorities that shape our own lives similarly shape the lives of countless multitudes around the globe regardless of cultural, linguistic, material and other differences. And the most important component of those extended relationships is mutual love.
The Universal Body. The family of God is not American; it is not Western; it is not affluent and/or aristocratic. It is not defined by traditions and schools and humanitarian projects. Rather, it is a common faith in God and adherence to His divine word that creates a deep unity of not just “worldview” but “other-worldview.” Some popular songs contain lyrics such as “I loved you before I knew you,” and this is especially true of fellow-Christians. We come to love Christ and all He means to us, and it naturally follows that when we meet someone who shares these same deep values that we have a natural, built-in affinity for them, too.
Paul says, “I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you, and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God …” (Col 1:1-2). After enumerating all the episodes of suffering and trial he had endured for the gospel, Paul adds, “besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?” (2 Cor 11:28-29).
Paul had a charge that made him a “spiritual globalist,” but we also see examples of great concern for and service to those in distant places among non-apostles in the NT. After Paul’s early persecution against the church commenced, “those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (Ac 8:4). Later, “those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some … [came] to Antioch [and] spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus” (Ac 11:19-20). Truly, the “field is the world” and the Christian’s outlook takes on global scope both the saved and prospective disciples in faraway lands.
When we meet a Christian from another cultural background, love is to supersede all differences that we may find distasteful or peculiar. Only one thing ultimately matters: we are one in Christ, and Christ’s body is unified and enriched by love. On a practical level, our interaction with our global spiritual family may be infrequent but is always uplifting – especially when encountering them in their own cultural setting. Peter simply exhorts: “Love the brotherhood” (1 Pet 2:17). Hebrews admonishes: “Let brotherly love continue” (13:1).
The Local Body. The NT directs us to associate where possible with fellow believers nearby; i.e., a “local church.” This is where our Lord’s day assemblies, Bible studies, admonitions/exhortations, financial expenditure and many other interactions with our spiritual family will occur. And this is also where much of the disagreement, dissension and disunity will arise simply due to frequent association. Group decisions must be made; behavior will impact others; attitudes are exposed and actions will be judged.
But it is in this atmosphere of intimate spiritual family relations that God has determined that we serve and grow and learn. Again, one major theme underlies this local relation: love for one another. Note the following just from 1 John:
“Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another” (3:10-11).
“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death” (3:14).
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (4:7-8).
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us” (4:10-12).
But love is not an abstract or theoretical; it exists in the thoughts we think about one another; it is manifested in the ways we speak to (or ignore) one another; it shows an interest in the lives, health and spiritual well-being of each other. It is manifested in humble submission to one another; it allows for the views and opinions of others that differ from our own (so long as sin is not advocated).
Malevolent forces are sowing seeds of discord in our culture, and division and rancor are rife. At the dawn of 2024, may we consciously determine not allow the moral rot of society to creep into the body of Christ at Centreville. The welfare of the Lord’s body is more important than anyone’s personal agenda.
